On Turning 40 & My Black Dog

I’M 40? WTF?!But I’m still figuring out what I want to do, when I grow up!

My Birthday

It’s May 6th and it’s my birthday. I’ve squeezed every drip out of my 30s and it’s time to move on.

I’ve been rather vocal about not looking forward to this birthday. People are very sweetly, and correctly, pointing out that 40 is just a number.

“40 is the new 19” has been one of my favourite comments from a well-meaning acquaintance.

My age never used to bother me. However this particular milestone is troubling me. Not only because mentally I feel like 24. No.

Unfortunately turning 40 has put me in a reflective but somewhat negative mood.

Halfway There

Let’s face it I’m pretty much half way through life now. I plan to grow old disgracefully, surrounded by many grandchildren, wearing a kaftan, swearing a lot, not giving a shit about what other people think whilst tending to my extremely large garden and going for country rides on my Triumph Bonneville.

I know where I want to end up but I’m just not sure how I’ll get there. I wasn’t joking when I said that I’m still waiting to figure out what I want to do when I grow up.

And if I’m honest I feel very disappointed in myself.

Giving myself a hard time? You bet. I’m great at that. I’ve had 40 years to practice remember.

The Sad Backstory

So why the disappointment? Well unlike that infamous line in the 90’s version of Trainspotting, I didn’t ‘choose life’. I let life ‘happen’ to me.

Well that’s not entirely true. The one thing I’ve wanted to be all my life was an artist. But I was led to believe it would be the biggest waste of time.

It’s for wasters – so I was told. It could never be a proper job. So I drifted. I’ve had ‘proper’ jobs but they never made me content because ultimately I was just pleasing other people’s vision of what I should do.

Here’s why…

(OK this post is about to get a bit sad here…bear with me for a moment.)

A Dog Named Blahs

At age 10 I was uprooted from a fairly content life in London after my Dad’s business failed, to a very unhappy life in Cambridgeshire.

As a teenager I was severely bullied by a group of girls. Being told by one she wanted to kill me, certainly wasn’t the highlight of my teens!

I was ostracised by people I thought were friends because they feared the bullies. I couldn’t trust anyone. I was alone. To this day I’ll never know why. It started unexpectedly and ended just as abruptly after 5 years.

But the mental scars are very deep. And at the age of 40 I still find it incredibly painful to talk about this period in my life.

Around this time, I was also joined by my invisible pet. Blahs the *black dog. He first came into my life at age 14, as my first episode of true depression.

(*Winston Churchill coined the term black dog to describe depression)

In the nineties, teenagers didn’t get depressed. Instead I was labelled simply as a moody teenager. I was left to look after Blahs the black dog on my own and I became an expert at hiding him from the world.

He’s remained a faithful but rather irritating pet ever since.

Becoming a mother at 25 made Blahs the black dog uncontrollable and post natal depression set in.

I have 2 beautiful boys but my 20s and early 30s were about surviving motherhood. It’s all a blur. I was very unhappy.

By my early 30s my (now ex) husband was made bankrupt due to the financial crash. I entered another turbulent time which cost us our marriage.

I was a single mum. However I’m an expert at fighting on so I embraced my new life and decided to go back to Uni to study for an MA and uh oh! Cupids arrow struck!

Cue a whirlwind romance with my now lovely hubby. At 34 we married, at 35 I gave birth to my beautiful Daisy and at 36 we bought a new home together.

We’ve literally only just come up for air!

But going back to having a young baby again was tough. Blahs the black dog has been on my heels ever since.

I’ve tried taming Blahs the black dog’s wild ways over the years with alcohol, exercise, self harm, sleeping pills, taking antidepressants, seeking help from therapists, psychotherapists, counsellors, group counselling, I’ve pretty much tried it all. It’s an ongoing training regime that will take the rest of my life.

Thankfully I know what the healthy options are for dealing with depression and Blahs the black dog now.

Scared

So I’m scared. I’m scared about what my 40’s will bring. Will I be able to control Blahs the black dog? He’s so destructive.

Getting to the point

Back to those dreams. It’s taken 40 years but I’ve finally realised my dream of living the life of an artist is key to my mental health. During all of the turbulent times, it’s been the one and only constant in my life. Expressing myself creatively has been my saviour in very dark times.

I enjoy solitary time. I dislike groups of people. I find it hard to trust anyone.

That’s why I create beautiful images. To counteract the darkness I’ve experienced in my life.

The Positive Conclusion

I’ve exposed my demons to you. It feels scary but it’s a relief. In fact this is the first time I’ve publically declared my depression and introduced Blahs my black dog beyond my very close family.

I still feel the shame I felt as a bullied teenager. But I’ve finally admitted creating beauty through images and my art is the path that helps me fight those depressing demons.

I choose to stand up and not be bullied by life. The decisions I make in the next 40 years will be because I take a positive stand. Not because I’m forced into something I don’t want to do.

Georgie I think this post is wonderfully courageous of you! Having been through a very dark time in my teenage years too I can empathise with you and how destructive depression can be. It’s not something I’ve ever felt comfortable talking about so I can only imagine how hard this was for you to write and share. At the very least, you definitely learn what does make you happy and I’m so glad you’ve had the courage to chase your dreams despite what others think about them. And as for being a grown up, I don’t think it sounds like that much fun anyway! I think if we get to a point where we are too comfortable and happy with everything that we stop seeking, growing and striving for more and where’s the fun in that? A quote I came across recently that I really loved is “Neverland is just a state of mind” – Happy 19th Georgie! x

Those demons are only too real – the modern world does not recognise or acknowledge them, in fact you are labelled ‘mental’ if you mention the word demon. By opening this up the way you have you are shining a light in the demons eyes and exposing them for what they are. They don’t like it! This is the first step to overcoming them. However a spiritual problem requires a spiritual solution. God is key. You are a strong and brave person to do this. Fair play to you.

Thank you Shaloam. Exposing the demons is most definitely the best way of defeating them! And I’m so glad I have done this. I find mindfulness, still and calm are definitely key to better mental health and taming my black dog 🙂 x

I really want to give teenage you a hug, Georgie. And the girls who did that to you a slap. Seriously. I remember a very brief period of being ostracised and gossiped about and thinking of it now – twenty years later – still makes me feel a bit sick. Can only imagine what five years of that does to someone’s spirit and self-esteem. Reading your story tells me you’re a survivor. And I’m sure you will not only survive your 40s but thrive in them. Thank you for your beautiful art and being so brave with telling your story xxx (And 40 is the new 19!)

No need to be ashamed, really. And I know what I’m talking about, having met that black dog myself, by now he’s just a small sized version, really. Thankfully. It took several changes in my life to put him down to size. My 50th birthday’s coming up next January and well, I still don’t really know what anyone means by ‘being grown up’. Don’t even know if I want to..
I think you are a great artist, and it seems to me you managed a lot despite that black dog, I guess you can either keep him on a leash or maybe even send him packing.
What can I say? Wishing you well and lots of inspiration 🙂

Thank you for sharing your experience of the black dog Karin. I like the idea of letting go of the leash completely one day? And I’m glad I’m not the only one who doesn’t really know what it means to ‘grow up’!
Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to share your thoughts on my blog. xxx

That is a beautiful and poignant declaration. I am sad that I wasn’t there for you. From the moment your artistic talent and love for art exposed itself I always knew you were destined to be an artist. You have given me so much pride over your 19 years and your ability to achieve all that you take on has been inspirational. Your individuality has been a shining beacon. Your compassion and tolerance are an example to us all. My home is full of your art, it is beautiful, demanding and above all a constant reminder of your undisputed talent. The leash holding The Black Dog will get longer as you encourage it to go away and I am confident, one day, you will let go of that leash. xxx

Oh Georgie – that is so brave to share how you are feeling. Life can be such a constant struggle for no seemingly apparent reason. It sounds like you are currently in a good place. I can totally empathize as I hit a low patch when I turned 40 (over 2 years ago) and yes it is only a number, but it’s also a milestone which makes us more reflective. In the past few days I’ve come to accept credit that I’m an artist, and I know that you are definitely one with so many admirers of people who love your work. I think it’s ok to accept that we may not have arrived, but hopefully we can both start to enjoy our journey of where we are going. Keep the dark feelings at bay by surrounding yourself with your family, creativity, exercise and walks in the open air. I know how hard it is when these feelings resurface but I feel you are a strong lady who can control the black dog and put him in his place. Big love and hugs….

Thank you Katie for your profound and wise words. It’s so interesting that 40 seems to put many of us in a reflective mood. I’m just beginning to feel liberated by it now I’ve finally admitted these feelings to the ‘world’. I’m starting to accept myself a lot more too. I’ve restrained that bloomin black dog in his kennel right now!

You’re a brilliant artist – everyone check out Katie’s beautiful ceramics! And you seem to be creatively flying. I’m looking forward to watching your creative journey unfold. And remember you are always free to share the highs and the lows of that journey with me, a fellow creative, anytime! Much love to you x

You are one brave lady and much of what you said I can completely relate to, nothing is what it seems! You have come so far and if you ever need a hug and a cuppa and someone who understands, just shout. Big squishy hugs xxx

Thank you lovely Tracy. It seems there’s always more behind a smile. I’m always up for a cuppa with you, we can have a laugh and cry together! We need make that ‘therapeutic’ visit to the local garden centre together soon! x

To my beautiful, talented cousin … very powerful words and very brave to share to the outside world! I think we have a lot of childhood memories that shake us to our core and unfortunately follow us into adult and parenthood, however, on a positive note you have 3 fantastic children, a loving husband, loving parents and a superb creative career!! It’s time to let go of the past George, it’s not who you are anymore and look forward to the future and make new memories together. I’m only a few months away of being 40yrs myself so I say bring it on and I look forward to Daisy and Lily growing up together … like we did.

Ps: huge shame we didn’t go to the same school, I would have stuck to you like glue and protected you as my sister against those bullies!! Love you lots, your Lou xx

Ahhh my wonderful cousin Lou!! Thank you for your wonderful comment. You’re a shining star in my life! You helped me make the happy memories I have of growing up – Lenny Kravitz, The Grand, climbing out of windows to go back to parties! I’m looking forward to getting up to more ‘no good’ with you, as crazy 40 year olds. I hope Lily and Daisy will be more sensible than us?! xxxxxxx

Georgie i completely 100% relate to your post and it was beautiful that you opened up and shared. I enjoyed reading and relating its good to know that there are more of us out there. I still need to find a way to fight my demons but im glad that you are finding the positives to help you carry on into the future. Hope that makes sense im not really good with words! Thank you anyway xxx

Makes perfect sense Vicki. It may sound too simple but staying creative and getting outside even if it’s just a walk can help fight those demons. I’ve never been very good at opening up, even with therapists and have kept a lot bottled up inside for many years. I’m trying to work on that and opening up on my blog has been hugely cathartic. But I still turn to my sketchbook, my camera, my notebook, and simply listening to inspiring music whilst I walk around my local park, all help me HUGELY. I’m really glad you found the post helpful. Keep making and being the wonderful human being you are xxx

Thanks so much for such a brave & inspiring post Georgie. Ever since I started following you and your beautiful art a few months ago I was in awe of your stunning creations & how incredibly talented you are. And because of that I also mistakenly thought that you must be super ‘together’ & ‘grown up’ (almost intimidatingly so purely because I feel so ungrown up despite being a mum of 2 in my mid 30s!) but hearing your struggles of the black dog (I have also had a relationship with him on & off through the years) has made you even more inspiring and human. But how lucky that we have our creativity to turn to. Totally loving your hubby’s star quote too, it made me well up it resonated so much with me ✨. Thanks for being brace enough to share your story – your journey is certainly one to never be ashamed of as you are constantly inspiring others & adding beauty to those around you. Wishing you a creative day & week, & some brightly shining stars that will maintain their twinkle even when darkness falls. Becca xx

Your words make me well up! Thank you so much for this wonderful comment Becca. Even at my tender age of 40 I still can’t claim to be a grown up and actually I’m quite proud of that now! I’m sorry to hear you’ve struggled with that darn black dog and hope you have found ways of dealing with that pesky pet. You’re art and illustrations are so wonderful, keep going with your creations. I think being creative can heal the world! Big love and hugs to you and your lovely family xxx